-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LZ5mNUWCNMLscwsbaVKmoI6N54nEZgGYBujR/DE33g/j/k8DeqbNsmi9vHkjS9UX K8Jqkl8EmQRgLWXV7gi7yQ== 0000812011-07-000063.txt : 20071210 0000812011-07-000063.hdr.sgml : 20071210 20071210082858 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000812011-07-000063 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071031 FILED AS OF DATE: 20071210 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20071210 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VAIL RESORTS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000812011 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 510291762 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0731 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09614 FILM NUMBER: 071294108 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 390 INTERLOCKEN CRESCENT STREET 2: SUITE 1000 CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80021 BUSINESS PHONE: 303-404-1800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 390 INTERLOCKEN CRESCENT STREET 2: SUITE 1000 CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80021 10-Q 1 form10q.htm FORM 10-Q form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2007

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from       to

Commission File Number:  001-09614

Vail Resorts, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware
  
51-0291762
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
390 Interlocken Crescent, Suite 1000
Broomfield, Colorado
  
80021
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  
(Zip Code)

(303) 404-1800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x                                           Accelerated filer ¨                                         Non-accelerated filer ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
¨ Yes x No

As of December 4, 2007, 38,685,542 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.







 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
  
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
  
                       
       
October 31,
    
July 31,
    
October 31,
  
       
2007
    
2007
    
2006
  
       
(unaudited)
          
(unaudited)
  
Assets
                  
Current assets:
                  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
166,044
  
$
230,819
  
$
117,311
  
 
Restricted cash
  
42,876
    
54,749
    
20,354
  
 
Trade receivables, net
  
24,954
    
43,557
    
27,532
  
 
Inventories, net
  
63,701
    
48,064
    
56,623
  
 
Other current assets
  
46,615
    
34,448
    
39,082
  
 
Total current assets
  
344,190
    
411,637
    
260,902
  
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 5)
  
917,344
    
885,926
    
856,502
  
Real estate held for sale and investment
  
415,411
    
357,586
    
301,781
  
Goodwill, net
  
141,699
    
141,699
    
135,811
  
Intangible assets, net
  
73,243
    
73,507
    
74,252
  
Other assets
  
43,034
    
38,768
    
45,737
  
 
Total assets
$
1,934,921
  
$
1,909,123
  
$
1,674,985
  
                       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
                  
Current liabilities:
                  
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Note 5)
$
360,352
  
$
281,779
  
$
268,490
  
 
Income taxes payable
  
34,708
    
37,441
    
14,986
  
 
Long-term debt due within one year (Note 4)
  
76,944
    
377
    
430
  
 
Total current liabilities
  
472,004
    
319,597
    
283,906
  
Long-term debt (Note 4)
  
534,527
    
593,733
    
542,990
  
Other long-term liabilities
  
168,131
    
181,830
    
165,746
  
Deferred income taxes
  
54,354
    
72,213
    
46,959
  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
                  
Put option liabilities (Note 8)
  
--
    
--
    
1,245
  
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
  
24,533
    
27,711
    
29,835
  
Stockholders' equity:
                  
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
  
--
    
--
    
--
  
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 39,864,167 (unaudited), 39,747,976 and 39,210,917 (unaudited) shares issued as of October 31, 2007, July 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006, respectively
  
399
    
397
    
392
  
 
Additional paid-in capital
  
538,009
    
534,370
    
514,345
  
 
Retained earnings
  
180,508
    
205,118
    
107,906
  
 
Treasury stock (Note 11)
  
(37,544
)
  
(25,846)
    
(18,339
)
   
Total stockholders' equity
  
681,372
    
714,039
    
604,304
  
     
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,934,921
  
$
1,909,123
  
$
1,674,985
  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.



   
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
  
(Unaudited)
  
                   
         
Three Months Ended
  
         
October 31,
  
         
2007
    
2006
  
Net revenue:
            
 
Mountain
$
42,536
  
$
46,164
  
 
Lodging
  
43,317
    
40,408
  
 
Real estate
  
12,034
    
26,922
  
   
Total net revenue
  
97,887
    
113,494
  
Segment operating expense:
            
 
Mountain
  
80,947
    
79,487
  
 
Lodging
  
41,236
    
36,349
  
 
Real estate
  
6,913
    
26,118
  
   
Total segment operating expense
  
129,096
    
141,954
  
Other operating expense:
            
 
Depreciation and amortization
  
(20,761
)
  
(21,585
)
 
Relocation and separation charges (Note 7)
  
--
    
(735
)
 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets, net
  
(234
)
  
(81
)
Loss from operations
  
(52,204
)
  
(50,861
)
 
Mountain equity investment income, net
  
1,969
    
835
  
 
Investment income
  
3,218
    
2,063
  
 
Interest expense, net
  
(7,644
)
  
(8,936
)
 
Contract dispute credit (charges), net  (Note 9)
  
11,920
    
(3,605
)
 
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
  
2,063
    
1,790
  
Loss before benefit from income taxes
  
(40,678
)
  
(58,714
)
 
Benefit from income taxes
  
16,068
    
22,899
  
Net loss
$
(24,610
)
$
(35,815
)
             
Per share amounts (Note 3):
            
 
Basic net loss per share
$
(0.63
)
$
(0.93
)
 
Diluted net loss per share
$
(0.63
)
$
(0.93
)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.



Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                   
         
Three Months Ended
  
         
October 31,
  
         
2007
    
2006
  
Cash flows from operating activities:
            
Net loss
$
(24,610
)
$
(35,815
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
            
 
Depreciation and amortization
  
20,761
    
21,585
  
 
Non-cash cost of real estate sales
  
698
    
20,040
  
 
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
  
2,246
    
1,960
  
 
Deferred income taxes, net
  
(18,654
)
  
(26,841
)
 
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
  
(2,063
)
  
(1,790
)
 
Other non-cash income, net
  
(2,146
)
  
(792
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
            
 
Restricted cash
  
11,874
    
(32
)
 
Accounts receivable, net
  
15,170
    
8,572
  
 
Inventories, net
  
(15,637
)
  
(14,344
)
 
Investments in real estate
  
(64,330
)
  
(54,999
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  
49,740
    
39,932
  
 
Deferred real estate deposits
  
18,738
    
(2,145
)
 
Other assets and liabilities, net
  
(9,052
)
  
(8,091
)
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  
(17,265
)
  
(52,760
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
            
 
Capital expenditures
  
(52,290
)
  
(28,558
)
 
Other investing activities, net
  
523
    
89
  
 
Net cash used in investing activities
  
(51,767
)
  
(28,469
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
            
 
Repurchases of common stock
  
(11,698
)
  
(7,500
)
 
Proceeds from borrowings under Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings
  
17,586
    
24,106
  
 
Payments of Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings
  
--
    
(1,493
)
 
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt
  
26,614
    
17,933
  
 
Payments of other long-term debt
  
(26,840
)
  
(28,354
)
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  
863
    
2,324
  
 
Other financing activities, net
  
(2,268
)
  
(270
)
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
  
4,257
    
6,746
  
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  
(64,775
)
  
(74,483
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
            
 
Beginning of period
  
230,819
    
191,794
  
 
End of period
$
166,044
  
$
117,311
  
               
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
11,960
  
$
15,211
  
Taxes paid, net
  
2,123
    
5,507
  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.



Vail Resorts, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

 
Vail Resorts, Inc. ("Vail Resorts" or the “Parent Company”) is organized as a holding company and operates through various subsidiaries.  Vail Resorts and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") currently operate in three business segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  In the Mountain segment, the Company owns and operates five world-class ski resort properties at Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek mountains in Colorado and the Heavenly Ski Resort (“Heavenly”) in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, as well as ancillary businesses, primarily including ski school, dining and retail/rental operations.  These resorts operate primarily on Federal land under the terms of Special Use Permits granted by the USDA Forest Service (the “Forest Service”).  The Company holds a 69.3% interest in SSI Venture, LLC (“SSV”), a retail/rental company.  In the Lodging segment, the Company owns and/or manages a collection of luxury hotels under its RockResorts International, LLC (“RockResorts”) brand, as well as other strategic lodging properties and a large number of condominiums located in proximity to the Company’s ski resorts, the Grand Teton Lodge Company (“GTLC”), which operates three destination resorts at Grand Teton National Park (under a National Park Service concessionaire contract), and golf courses.  Vail Resorts Development Company ("VRDC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, conducts the operations of the Company's Real Estate segment, which holds and develops real estate in and around the Company’s resort communities.  The Company's mountain business and its lodging properties at or around the Company’s ski resorts are seasonal in nature with peak operating seasons from mid-November through mid-April.  The Company's operations at GTLC and its golf courses generally operate from mid-May through mid-October.  The Company also has non-majority owned investments in various other entities, some of which are consolidated (see Note 6, Variable Interest Entities).

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year.  The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2007.  Certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies, normally included in fiscal year financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted.  The July 31, 2007 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements.

2.           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes--Effective August 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”).  Although the implementation of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of the Company’s liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, the adoption did result in a reclassification of $2.8 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits from deferred income tax liabilities to other long-term liabilities to conform with the balance sheet presentation requirements of FIN 48. As of August 1, 2007, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $13.0 million, of which $2.8 million would, if recognized, decrease the Company’s effective tax rate.  As allowed under FIN 48, the Company is continuing its policy of accruing income tax related interest and penalties, if applicable, within income tax expense.  As of August 1, 2007, accrued interest, net of tax, was $0.8 million and for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.1 million of interest expense, net of tax, respectively.

During the three months ended October 31, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with the Colorado Department of Revenue covering calendar year tax returns from 2001 through 2005.  In conjunction with this agreement, the Company reduced its liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits by $0.7 million, which benefit has been reflected in the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2007.

During the year ended July 31, 2005, the Company amended previously filed tax returns (for tax years 1997-2002) in an effort to remove restrictions under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code on approximately $73.8 million of Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards relating to fresh start accounting from the Company’s reorganization in 1992.  During the year ended July 31, 2006, the Internal Revenue Service completed its examination of the Company’s filing position in these amended returns and disallowed the Company’s position to remove the restrictions.  The Company has appealed the examiner’s disallowance of these NOLs to the Office of  Appeals. Upon ultimate resolution, the unrecognized tax benefit related to this matter will be resolved as it will result in either payment by the Company, recognition of tax benefits through the utilization of the NOLs, or a combination of both; however, the resolution of this matter is not anticipated to materially impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company anticipates that this matter will be resolved in the next twelve months.

New Accounting Pronouncements-- In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree, including the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination.  The requirements of SFAS 141R are effective for the Company beginning August 1, 2009 (its fiscal year ending July 31, 2010).  The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance and therefore has not yet determined the impact that SFAS 141R will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”), which will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity within the consolidated balance sheets. The requirements of SFAS 160 are effective for the Company beginning August 1, 2009 (its fiscal year ending July 31, 2010).  The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance and therefore has not yet determined the impact that SFAS 160 will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("EPS"), establishes standards for computing and presenting EPS.  SFAS No. 128 requires the dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the consolidated condensed statements of operations and requires a reconciliation of numerators (net income/loss) and denominators (weighted-average shares outstanding) for both basic and diluted EPS in the footnotes.  Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income/loss available to holders of common stock by the weighted-average shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, resulting in the issuance of shares of common stock that would then share in the earnings of the Company.  Presented below is basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
2007
  
2006
 
Basic
  
Diluted
  
Basic
  
Diluted
Net loss per common share:
                              
Net loss
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(35,815
)
  
$
(35,815
)
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
  
38,892
      
38,892
      
38,715
      
38,715
  
Effect of dilutive securities
  
--
      
--
      
--
      
--
  
Total shares
  
38,892
      
38,892
      
38,715
      
38,715
  
                               
Net loss per common share
$
(0.63
)
  
$
(0.63
)
  
$
 
(0.93
)
  
$
(0.93
)

The number of shares issuable on the exercise of share based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive totaled 1.0 million and 1.6 million (maximum number of vested and unvested share based awards) for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  

4.           Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt as of October 31, 2007, July 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006 is summarized as follows (in thousands):

   
October 31,
July 31,
October 31,
 
Maturity (a)
2007
2007
2006
Credit Facility Revolver
2012
$
--
$
--
$
--
SSV Facility
2011
  
--
  
--
  
--
Industrial Development Bonds
2009-2020
  
57,700
  
57,700
  
57,700
Employee Housing Bonds
2027-2039
  
52,575
  
52,575
  
52,575
Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings (b)
2009-2010
  
104,468
  
86,882
  
35,970
6.75% Senior Subordinated Notes ("6.75% Notes")
2014
  
390,000
  
390,000
  
390,000
Other
2008-2029
  
6,728
  
6,953
  
7,175
Total debt
    
611,471
  
594,110
  
543,420
Less:  Current maturities (c)
    
76,944
  
377
  
430
Long-term debt
  
$
534,527
$
593,733
$
542,990

(a)  
Maturities are based on the Company's July 31 fiscal year end.

(b)  
As of October 31, 2007 Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings consist of borrowings under the $175 million construction agreement for Arrabelle at Vail Square, LLC (“Arrabelle”) of $61.6 million and under the $123 million construction agreement for The Chalets at The Lodge at Vail, LLC (“Chalets”) of $42.9 million.  As of July 31, 2007 Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings included borrowings of $60.5 million under the construction agreement for Arrabelle and $26.4 million under the construction agreement for the Chalets.  As of October 31, 2006 Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings consisted of borrowings under the construction agreement for Arrabelle.

(c)  
Current maturities represent principal payments due in the next 12 months.

Aggregate maturities for debt outstanding as of October 31, 2007 reflected by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):

 
Non-Recourse
Real Estate
Financings
 
 
All Other
  
Total
2008
$
--
$
152
$
152
2009
  
61,604
  
15,280
  
76,884
2010
  
42,864
  
262
  
43,126
2011
  
--
  
1,738
  
1,738
2012
  
--
  
205
  
205
Thereafter
  
--
  
489,366
  
489,366
Total debt
$
104,468
$
507,003
$
611,471

The Company incurred gross interest expense of $11.1 million and $10.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, of which $0.6 million and $0.7 million was amortization of deferred financing costs.  The Company capitalized $3.5 million and $1.3 million of interest during the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The composition of property, plant and equipment follows (in thousands):

 
October 31,
July 31,
October 31,
 
2007
2007
2006
Land and land improvements
$
249,834
  
$
249,291
  
$
244,786
  
Buildings and building improvements
  
555,784
    
553,958
    
531,829
  
Machinery and equipment
  
428,976
    
420,514
    
398,399
  
Furniture and fixtures
  
111,239
    
114,615
    
113,821
  
Software
  
33,706
    
27,756
    
32,240
  
Vehicles
  
26,950
    
27,179
    
25,502
  
Construction in progress
  
106,736
    
71,666
    
57,678
  
    Gross property, plant and equipment  
1,513,225
    
1,464,979
    
1,404,255
  
Accumulated depreciation
  
(595,881
)
  
(579,053
)
  
(547,753
)
    Property, plant and equipment, net
$
917,344
  
$
885,926
  
$
856,502
  

The composition of accounts payable and accrued expenses follows (in thousands):

   
October 31,
  
July 31,
  
October 31,
   
2007
  
2007
  
2006
Trade payables
$
96,896
  
$
67,517
  
$
80,468
  
Real estate development payables
  
35,322
    
30,582
    
23,507
  
Deferred revenue
  
69,568
    
36,179
    
68,277
  
Deferred real estate and other deposits
  
83,576
    
51,351
    
24,318
  
Accrued salaries, wages and deferred compensation
  
18,405
    
30,721
    
17,370
  
Accrued benefits
  
22,997
    
23,810
    
23,428
  
Accrued interest
  
6,919
    
14,710
    
7,434
  
Liabilities to complete real estate projects, short term
  
4,817
    
8,500
    
4,363
  
Other accruals
  
21,852
    
18,409
    
19,325
  
 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
360,352
  
$
281,779
  
$
268,490
  

The composition of other long-term liabilities follows (in thousands):

   
October 31,
  
July 31,
  
October 31,
   
2007
  
2007
  
2006
Private club deferred initiation fee revenue
$
93,234
  
$
94,205
  
$
93,062
  
Deferred real estate deposits
  
42,657
    
54,363
    
54,743
  
Private club initiation deposits
  
18,745
    
17,767
    
1,341
  
Liabilities to complete real estate projects
  
300
    
6,301
    
6,301
  
Other long-term liabilities
  
13,195
    
9,194
    
10,299
  
 
Total other long-term liabilities
$
168,131
  
$
181,830
  
$
165,746
  


The Company is the primary beneficiary of four employee housing entities (collectively, the "Employee Housing Entities"), Breckenridge Terrace, LLC, The Tarnes at BC, LLC ("Tarnes"), BC Housing LLC and Tenderfoot Seasonal Housing, LLC, which are Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"), and has consolidated them in its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.  As a group, as of October 31, 2007, the Employee Housing Entities had total assets of $39.5 million (primarily recorded in property, plant and equipment, net) and total liabilities of $67.5 million (primarily recorded in long-term debt as “Employee Housing Bonds”).  All of the assets ($8.1 million as of October 31, 2007) of Tarnes serve as collateral for Tarnes' Tranche B Employee Housing Bonds.  The Company has issued under its senior credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) $38.3 million letters of credit related to the Tranche A Employee Housing Bonds and $12.6 million letters of credit related to the Tranche B Employee Housing Bonds.  The letters of credit would be triggered in the event that one of the entities defaults on required payments.  The letters of credit have no default provisions.

The Company is the primary beneficiary of Avon Partners II, LLC (“APII”), which is a VIE.  APII owns commercial space and the Company currently leases substantially all of that space.  APII had total assets of $5.6 million (primarily recorded in property, plant and equipment, net) and no debt as of October 31, 2007.

The Company, through various lodging subsidiaries, manages the operations of several entities that own hotels in which the Company has no ownership interest.  The Company also has extended a $2.0 million note receivable to one of these entities.  These entities were formed to acquire, own, operate and realize the value in resort hotel properties.  The Company managed the day-to-day operations of six hotel properties as of October 31, 2007.  The Company has determined that the entities that own the hotel properties are VIEs, and the management contracts are significant variable interests in these VIEs.  The Company has also determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these entities and, accordingly, is not required to consolidate any of these entities.  Based on information provided to the Company by owners of the entities, these VIEs had total assets of approximately $187.9 million and total liabilities of approximately $11.4 million as of October 31, 2007.  The Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs is limited to the note receivable and accrued interest of approximately $2.0 million and the net book value of the intangible asset associated with a management agreement in the amount of $0.7 million as of October 31, 2007.

7.           Relocation and Separation Charges

In February 2006, the Company announced a plan to relocate its corporate headquarters; the plan was formally approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in April 2006.  The relocation process (which also included the consolidation of certain other operations of the Company) was completed by July 31, 2007.  The total charges associated with the relocation was $3.8 million of which zero and $0.7 million was recorded in the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The above amounts do not reflect any of the anticipated benefits expected to be realized from the relocation and consolidation of offices.

8.           Put and Call Options

The Company holds an approximate 69.3% ownership interest in SSV.  The Company and GSSI LLC ("GSSI"), the minority shareholder in SSV, have remaining put and call rights with respect to SSV: (i) beginning August 1, 2010 and each year thereafter, each of the Company and GSSI have the right to call or put, respectively, 100% of GSSI's ownership interest in SSV to the Company during certain periods each year and (ii) GSSI has the right to put to the Company 100% of its ownership interest in SSV at any time after GSSI has been removed as manager of SSV or after an involuntary transfer of the Company's ownership interest in SSV has occurred.  As of October 31, 2007, the estimated price at which the put/call option for the remaining interest could be expected to be settled was $36.9 million.

In March 2001, in connection with the Company's acquisition of a 51% ownership interest in RTP, LLC (“RTP”), the Company and RTP's minority shareholder entered into a put agreement whereby the minority shareholder could put up to an aggregate one-third of its original 49% interest in RTP to the Company during the period from August 1 through October 31 annually.  The Company had determined that this put option should be marked to fair value through earnings.  In connection with the Company’s April 2007 sale of its 54.5% interest in RTP the put agreement with RTP’s minority shareholder was terminated.

Metropolitan Districts

The Company credit-enhances $8.5 million of bonds issued by Holland Creek Metropolitan District ("HCMD") through an $8.6 million letter of credit issued against the Company's Credit Facility.  HCMD's bonds were issued and used to build infrastructure associated with the Company's Red Sky Ranch residential development.  The Company has agreed to pay capital improvement fees to Red Sky Ranch Metropolitan District ("RSRMD") until RSRMD's revenue streams from property taxes are sufficient to meet debt service requirements under HCMD's bonds, and the Company has recorded a liability of $1.0 million, $1.1 million and $1.3 million, primarily within "other long-term liabilities" in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, as of October 31, 2007, July 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006, respectively, with respect to the estimated present value of future RSRMD capital improvement fees.  The Company estimates that it will make capital improvement fee payments under this arrangement through the year ending July 31, 2014.

Guarantees

As of October 31, 2007, the Company had various other letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $66.6 million, consisting primarily of $51.0 million in support of the Employee Housing Bonds, $7.4 million for workers' compensation and general liability deductibles related to construction activities and $6.8 million of construction performance guarantees.

In addition to the guarantees noted above, the Company has entered into contracts in the normal course of business which include certain indemnifications within the scope of Financial Interpretations No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" (“FIN 45”) under which it could be required to make payments to third parties upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain future events.  These indemnities include indemnities to licensees in connection with the licensees' use of the Company's trademarks and logos, indemnities for liabilities associated with the infringement of other parties' technology and software products, indemnities related to liabilities associated with the use of easements, indemnities related to employment of contract workers, the Company's use of trustees, indemnities related to the Company's use of public lands and environmental indemnifications.  The duration of these indemnities generally is indefinite and generally do not limit the future payments the Company could be obligated to make.

As permitted under applicable law, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries indemnify their directors and officers over their lifetimes for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving the Company or its subsidiaries in such a capacity.  The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that should enable the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid.

The Company guarantees the revenue streams associated with selected routes flown by certain airlines into Eagle County, Colorado, Regional Airport; these guarantees are capped at certain levels.  As of October 31, 2007, the Company has recorded a liability related to the airline guarantees of $0.3 million, which represents the estimated amount the Company will be required to pay.  As of October 31, 2007, the maximum potential amount the Company could be required to pay was $0.9 million.  Payments under these guarantees are expected to be made in the year ending July 31, 2008.

Unless otherwise noted, the Company has not recorded any significant liabilities for the letters of credit, indemnities and other guarantees noted above in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, either because the Company has recorded on its Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets the underlying liability associated with the guarantee, the guarantee or indemnification existed prior to January 1, 2003, the guarantee is with respect to the Company’s own performance and is therefore not subject to the measurement requirements of FIN 45, or because the Company has calculated the fair value of the indemnification or guarantee to be immaterial based upon the current facts and circumstances that would trigger a payment under the indemnification clause.  In addition, with respect to certain indemnifications it is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under these guarantees due to the unique set of facts and circumstances that are likely to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision.  Historically, payments made by the Company under these obligations have not been material.

As noted above, the Company makes certain indemnifications to licensees in connection with their use of the Company's trademarks and logos.  The Company does not record any product warranty liability with respect to these indemnifications.

Commitments

In the ordinary course of obtaining necessary zoning and other approvals for the Company's potential real estate development projects, the Company may contingently commit to the completion of certain infrastructure, improvements and other costs related to the projects.  Fulfillment of such commitments is required only if the Company moves forward with the development project.  The determination whether to complete a development project is entirely at the Company's discretion, and is generally contingent upon, among other considerations, receipt of satisfactory zoning and other approvals and the current status of the Company's analysis of the economic viability of the project, including the costs associated with the contingent commitments.  The Company currently has obligations, recorded as liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet, to complete or fund certain improvements with respect to real estate developments; the Company has estimated such costs to be approximately $5.1 million as of October 31, 2007, and anticipates completion of the majority of these commitments within the next two years.

Self Insurance

The Company is self-insured for claims under its health benefit plans and for workers’ compensation claims, subject to a stop loss policy.  The self-insurance liability related to workers' compensation is determined actuarially based on claims filed.  The self-insurance liability related to claims under the Company’s health benefit plans is determined based on internal and external analysis of actual claims.  The amounts related to these claims are included as a component of accrued benefits in accounts payable and accrued expenses (see Note 5, Supplementary Balance Sheet Information).

Legal

The Company is a party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including Resort (Mountain and Lodging) related cases and contractual and commercial litigation that arises from time to time in connection with the Company's real estate operations.  Management believes the Company has adequate insurance coverage or has accrued for loss contingencies for all known matters that are deemed to be probable losses and estimable.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa Contract Dispute

In March 2006, RockResorts was notified by the ownership of Cheeca Lodge & Spa, formerly a RockResorts managed property, that its management agreement was being terminated effective immediately.  RockResorts believed that the termination was in violation of the management agreement and sought monetary damages, and recovery of attorney’s fees and costs.  Pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of the management agreement, the disputed matter went before a single judge arbitrator at the JAMS Arbitration Tribunal in Chicago, Illinois.  On February 28, 2007, the arbitrator rendered a decision, awarding $8.5 million in damages in favor of RockResorts and against Cheeca Holdings, LLC (“Cheeca Holdings”) and recovery of costs and attorney’s fees to be determined in the last stage of the proceedings.  Prior to the ruling by the arbitrator in the last stage of the proceeding, the Company reached a comprehensive settlement with Cheeca Holdings which included the damages, attorney’s fees and expenses.  On October 19, 2007, RockResorts received payment of the final settlement from Cheeca Holdings in the amount of $13.5 million, of which $11.9 million (net of final attorney fees) is recorded in “contract dispute credit (charges), net” in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations.

The Canyons Ski Resort Litigation

During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Peninsula Advisors, LLC (“Peninsula”) for the negotiation and mutual acquisition of The Canyons ski resort (“The Canyons”) and the land underlying The Canyons.  On July 15, 2007, American Skiing Company (“ASC”) entered into an agreement to sell The Canyons to Talisker Corporation and Talisker Canyons Finance Company, LLC (together “Talisker”).  On July 27, 2007, the Company filed a complaint in the District Court in Colorado against Peninsula and Talisker claiming, among other things, breach of contract by Peninsula and intentional interference with contractual relations and prospective business relations by Talisker and seeking damages, specific performance and injunctive relief.  On October 19, 2007, the Company’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the closing of the acquisition by Talisker of The Canyons from ASC was denied.  On November 8, 2007, Talisker filed an answer to the Company's complaint along with three counterclaims.  On November 12, 2007, Peninsula filed a motion to dismiss and for partial summary judgment.  The Company believes that these claims and motions are without merit.  The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the above described actions.

10.           Segment Information

The Company has three reportable segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  The Mountain segment includes the operations of the Company's ski resorts and related ancillary activities.  The Lodging segment includes the operations of all of the Company's owned hotels, RockResorts, GTLC, condominium management and golf operations.  The Resort segment is the combination of the Mountain and Lodging segments.  The Real Estate segment holds and develops real estate in and around the Company's resort communities.  The Company's reportable segments, although integral to the success of the others, offer distinctly different products and services and require different types of management focus.  As such, these segments are managed separately.
 
The Company reports its segment results using Reported EBITDA (defined as segment net revenue less segment operating expenses plus or minus segment equity investment income or loss) which is a non-GAAP financial measure.  SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" requires the Company to report segment results in a manner consistent with management's internal reporting of operating results to the chief operating decision maker (Chief Executive Officer) for purposes of evaluating segment performance.  Therefore, since the Company uses Reported EBITDA to measure performance of segments for internal reporting purposes, the Company will continue to use Reported EBITDA to report segment results.

Reported EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.  Items excluded from Reported EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance.  Reported EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income, cash flows generated by operations, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity.  Because Reported EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and thus is susceptible to varying calculations, Reported EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The Company utilizes Reported EBITDA in evaluating performance of the Company and in allocating resources to its segments.  Mountain Reported EBITDA consists of Mountain net revenue plus Mountain equity investment income less Mountain operating expense.  Lodging Reported EBITDA consists of Lodging net revenue less Lodging operating expense.  Real Estate Reported EBITDA consists of Real Estate net revenue less Real Estate operating expense.  All segment expenses include an allocation of corporate administrative expense.  Assets are not allocated between segments, or used to evaluate performance, except as shown in the table below.

Following is key financial information by reportable segment which is used by management in evaluating performance and allocating resources (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended October 31,
  
   
2007
  
2006
  
Net revenue:
                
Lift tickets
  
$
--
    
$
--
  
Ski school
    
--
      
--
  
Dining
    
4,762
      
3,887
  
Retail/rental
    
23,540
      
24,518
  
Other
    
14,234
      
17,759
  
Total Mountain net revenue
    
42,536
      
46,164
  
Lodging
    
43,317
      
40,408
  
Resort
    
85,853
      
86,572
  
Real estate
    
12,034
      
26,922
  
Total net revenue
  
$
97,887
    
$
113,494
  
Operating expense:
                
Mountain
  
$
80,947
    
$
79,487
  
Lodging
    
41,236
      
36,349
  
Resort
    
122,183
      
115,836
  
Real estate
    
6,913
      
26,118
  
Total segment operating expense
  
$
129,096
    
$
141,954
  
Mountain equity investment income, net
  
$
1,969
    
$
835
  
                 
Reported EBITDA:
                
Mountain
  
$
(36,442
)
  
$
(32,488
)
Lodging
    
2,081
      
4,059
  
Resort
    
(34,361
)
    
(28,429
)
Real estate
    
5,121
      
804
  
Total Reported EBITDA
  
$
(29,240
)
  
$
(27,625
)
                 
Real estate held for sale and investment
  
$
415,411
    
$
301,781
  
                 
Reconciliation to net loss:  
                
Total Reported EBITDA
    
(29,240
)
    
(27,625
)
Depreciation and amortization
    
(20,761
)
    
(21,585
)
Relocation and separation charges
    
--
      
(735
)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets, net
    
(234
)
    
(81
)
Investment income
    
3,218
      
2,063
  
Interest expense, net
    
(7,644
)
    
(8,936
)
Contract dispute credit (charges), net
    
11,920
      
(3,605
)
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
    
2,063
      
1,790
  
Loss before benefit from income taxes
    
(40,678
)
    
(58,714
)
Benefit from income taxes
    
16,068
      
22,899
  
Net loss
  
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(35,815
)
 
11.           Stock Repurchase Plan

On March 9, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock.  During the three months ended October 31, 2007, the Company repurchased 232,504 shares of common stock at a cost of $11.7 million.  Since inception of this stock repurchase plan, the Company has repurchased 906,004 shares at a cost of approximately $37.5 million, as of October 31, 2007.  As of October 31, 2007, 2,093,996 shares remained available to repurchase under the existing repurchase authorization.  Shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the repurchase program will be held as treasury shares and may be used for the issuance of shares under the Company's employee share award plans.

12.           Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

The Company's payment obligations under the 6.75% Notes (see Note 4, Long-Term Debt) are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several, senior subordinated basis by substantially all of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, and excluding Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (as defined below), the "Guarantor Subsidiaries") except for Colter Bay Corporation, Eagle Park Reservoir Company, Forest Ridge Holdings, Inc., Gros Ventre Utility Company, Jackson Lake Lodge Corporation, Jenny Lake Lodge, Inc., Mountain Thunder, Inc., SSV, Larkspur Restaurant & Bar, LLC, Vail Associates Investments, Inc., Arrabelle, Gore Creek Place, LLC, Chalets, RCR Vail, LLC, Crystal Peak Lodge of Breckenridge, Inc., Timber Trail, Inc. and VR Holdings, Inc. (together, the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries").  APII and the Employee Housing Entities are included with the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries for purposes of the consolidated financial information, but are not considered subsidiaries under the indentures governing the 6.75% Notes.

Presented below is the consolidated financial information of the Parent Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.  Financial information for the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries is presented in the column titled "Other Subsidiaries."  Balance sheet data is presented as of October 31, 2007, July 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006.  Statement of operations and condensed statement of cash flows data are presented for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Parent Company and Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.  Net income (loss) of Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is, therefore, reflected in the Parent Company's and Guarantor Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to (from) subsidiaries.  Net income (loss) of the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is reflected in Guarantor Subsidiaries and Parent Company as equity in consolidated subsidiaries.  The elimination entries eliminate investments in Other Subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions for consolidated reporting purposes.



Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
  
As of October 31, 2007
  
(in thousands)
  
                                       
           
100% Owned
                          
   
Parent
  
Guarantor
  
Other
  
Eliminating
        
   
Company
  
Subsidiaries
  
Subsidiaries
  
Entries
  
Consolidated
Current assets:
                                        
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
--
    
$
160,983
    
$
5,061
    
$
--
    
$
166,044
  
Restricted cash
    
--
      
14,008
      
28,868
      
--
      
42,876
  
Trade receivables, net
    
--
      
23,705
      
1,249
      
--
      
24,954
  
Inventories, net
    
--
      
9,604
      
54,097
      
--
      
63,701
  
Other current assets
    
15,851
      
20,278
      
10,486
      
--
      
46,615
  
Total current assets
    
15,851
      
228,578
      
99,761
      
--
      
344,190
  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    
--
      
795,610
      
121,734
      
--
      
917,344
  
Real estate held for sale and investment
    
--
      
91,358
      
324,053
      
--
      
415,411
  
Goodwill, net
    
--
      
123,033
      
18,666
      
--
      
141,699
  
Intangible assets, net
    
--
      
56,845
      
16,398
      
--
      
73,243
  
Other assets
    
4,469
      
26,672
      
11,893
      
--
      
43,034
  
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to (from) parent
    
1,147,857
      
368,633
      
(123,167
)
    
(1,393,323
)
    
--
  
Total assets
  
$
1,168,177
    
$
1,690,729
    
$
469,338
    
$
(1,393,323
)
  
$
1,934,921
  
                                         
Current liabilities:
                                        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  
$
5,655
    
$
200,895
    
$
153,802
    
$
--
    
$
360,352
  
Income taxes payable
    
34,708
      
-
      
-
      
--
      
34,708
  
Long-term debt due within one year
    
--
      
15,050
      
61,894
      
--
      
76,944
  
Total current liabilities
    
40,363
      
215,945
      
215,696
      
--
      
472,004
  
Long-term debt
    
390,000
      
42,712
      
101,815
      
--
      
534,527
  
Other long-term liabilities
    
2,088
      
102,485
      
63,558
      
--
      
168,131
  
Deferred income taxes
    
54,354
      
--
      
--
      
--
      
54,354
  
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
    
--
      
--
      
--
      
24,533
      
24,533
  
Total stockholders’ equity
    
681,372
      
1,329,587
      
88,269
      
(1,417,856
)
    
681,372
  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  
$
1,168,177
    
$
1,690,729
    
$
469,338
    
$
(1,393,323
)
  
$
1,934,921
  
 


 
 Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
As of July 31, 2007
 
(in thousands)
           
100% Owned
                        
   
Parent
  
Guarantor
  
Other
  
Eliminating
          
   
Company
  
Subsidiaries
  
Subsidiaries
  
Entries
  
Consolidated
  
Current assets:
                                          
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
--
    
$
225,952
    
$
4,867
    
$
--
    
$
230,819
    
Restricted cash
    
--
      
11,437
      
43,312
      
--
      
54,749
    
Trade receivables, net
    
--
      
41,804
      
1,753
      
--
      
43,557
    
Inventories, net
    
--
      
9,805
      
38,259
      
--
      
48,064
    
Other current assets
    
15,056
      
13,545
      
5,847
      
--
      
34,448
    
Total current assets
    
15,056
      
302,543
      
94,038
      
--
      
411,637
    
Property, plant and equipment, net
    
--
      
784,458
      
101,468
      
--
      
885,926
    
Real estate held for sale and investment
    
--
      
86,837
      
270,749
      
--
      
357,586
    
Goodwill, net
    
--
      
123,033
      
18,666
      
--
      
141,699
    
Intangible assets, net
    
--
      
57,087
      
16,420
      
--
      
73,507
    
Other assets
    
4,646
      
24,225
      
9,897
      
--
      
38,768
    
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to (from) parent
    
1,206,709
      
337,716
      
(82,219
)
    
(1,462,206
)
    
--
    
Total assets
  
$
1,226,411
    
$
1,715,899
    
$
429,019
    
$
(1,462,206
)
  
$
1,909,123
    
                                           
Current liabilities:
                                          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  
$
12,718
    
$
161,456
    
$
107,605
    
$
--
    
$
281,779
    
Income taxes payable
    
37,441
      
--
      
--
      
--
      
37,441
    
Long-term debt due within one year
    
--
      
49
      
328
      
--
      
377
    
Total current liabilities
    
50,159
      
161,505
      
107,933
      
--
      
319,597
    
Long-term debt
    
390,000
      
57,724
      
146,009
      
--
      
593,733
    
Other long-term liabilities
    
--
      
108,582
      
73,248
      
--
      
181,830
    
Deferred income taxes
    
72,213
      
--
      
--
      
--
      
72,213
    
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated subsidiaries
    
--
      
--
      
--
      
27,711
      
27,711
    
Total stockholders’ equity
    
714,039
      
1,388,088
      
101,829
      
(1,489,917
)
    
714,039
    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  
$
1,226,411
    
$
1,715,899
    
$
429,019
    
$
(1,462,206
)
  
$
1,909,123
    

 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of October 31, 2006
(in thousands)
                                       
               
100% Owned
                    
       
Parent
    
Guarantor
Other
  
 Eliminating
        
       
Company
    
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries
  
Entries
  
Consolidated
  
Current assets:
                                  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
--
    
$
108,569
  
$
8,742
  
$
--
  
$
117,311
  
 
Restricted cash
  
--
      
16,341
    
4,013
    
--
    
20,354
  
 
Trade receivables, net
  
--
      
23,150
    
4,382
    
--
    
27,532
  
 
Inventories, net
  
--
      
8,587
    
48,036
    
--
    
56,623
  
 
Other current assets
  
12,676
      
23,590
    
2,816
    
--
    
39,082
  
   
Total current assets
  
12,676
      
180,237
    
67,989
    
--
    
260,902
  
Property, plant and equipment, net
  
--
      
788,984
    
67,518
    
--
    
856,502
  
Real estate held for sale and investment
  
--
      
165,788
    
135,993
    
--
    
301,781
  
Goodwill, net
    
--
      
118,475
    
17,336
    
--
    
135,811
  
Intangible assets, net
  
--
      
57,518
    
16,734
    
--
    
74,252
  
Other assets
  
5,179
      
26,536
    
14,022
    
--
    
45,737
  
Investments in subsidiaries and advances to
                              
(from) parent
1,002,008
      
(483,368
)
  
(58,742
)
  
(459,898
)
  
--
  
 
Total assets
  
$
1,019,863
    
$
854,170
  
$
260,850
  
$
(459,898
)
$
1,674,985
  
                                 
Current liabilities:
                                
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
10,630
    
$
192,742
  
$
65,118
  
$
--
  
$
268,490
  
 
Income taxes payable
  
14,913
      
73
    
--
    
--
    
14,986
  
 
Long-term debt due within one year
  
--
      
44
    
386
    
--
    
430
  
   
Total current liabilities
  
25,543
      
192,859
    
65,504
    
--
    
283,906
  
Long-term debt
    
390,000
      
57,726
    
95,264
    
--
    
542,990
  
Other long-term liabilities
  
16
      
126,507
    
39,223
    
--
    
165,746
  
Deferred income taxes
  
--
      
46,877
    
82
    
--
    
46,959
  
Put option liabilities
  
--
      
1,245
    
--
    
--
    
1,245
  
Minority interest in net assets of consolidated
                              
subsidiaries
--
      
--
    
29,835
    
--
    
29,835
  
Total stockholders' equity
  
604,304
      
428,956
    
30,942
    
(459,898
)
  
604,304
  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,019,863
    
$
854,170
  
$
260,850
  
$
(459,898
)
$
1,674,985
  


 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the three months ended October 31, 2007
(in thousands)
                                           
             
100% Owned
                        
     
Parent
  
Guarantor
  
Other
  
Eliminating
        
     
Company
  
Subsidiaries
  
Subsidiaries
  
Entries
  
Consolidated
Total net revenue
  
$
--
    
$
74,771
    
$
25,936
    
$
(2,820
)
$
97,887
  
Total operating expense
    
(193
)
    
118,267
      
34,799
      
(2,782
)
  
150,091
  
 
Income (loss) from operations
    
193
      
(43,496
)
  
(8,863
)
  
(38
)
    
(52,204
)
Equity investment income, net
    
--
      
1,969
      
--
      
--
      
1,969
  
Other (expense) income, net
    
(6,760
)
    
15,508
    
(1,292
)
  
38
      
7,494
  
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
    
--
      
--
      
--
      
2,063
      
2,063
  
 
Loss before income taxes
    
(6,567
)
    
(26,019
)
  
(10,155
)
  
2,063
      
(40,678
)
Benefit from income taxes
    
2,594
      
13,474
      
--
      
--
      
16,068
  
 
Net loss before equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
    
(3,973)
      
(12,545
)
    
(10,155
)
    
2,063
      
(24,610
)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
    
(20,637
)
    
--
      
--
      
20,637
      
--
  
 
Net (loss) income
  
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(12,545
)
$
(10,155
)
$
22,700
    
$
(24,610
)



 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the three months ended October 31, 2006
(in thousands)
                                           
             
100% Owned
                        
     
Parent
  
Guarantor
  
Other
  
Eliminating
        
     
Company
  
Subsidiaries
  
Subsidiaries
  
Entries
  
Consolidated
Total net revenue
  
$
--
    
$
75,962
    
$
39,295
    
$
(1,763
)
$
113,494
  
Total operating expense
    
2,995
      
121,376
      
41,747
      
(1,763
)
  
164,355
  
 
Loss from operations
    
(2,995
)
    
(45,414
)
  
(2,452
)
  
--
      
(50,861
)
Equity investment income, net
    
--
      
835
      
--
      
--
      
835
  
Other expense, net
    
(6,757
)
    
(2,675
)
  
(1,046
)
  
--
      
(10,478
)
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
    
--
      
--
      
1,790
      
--
      
1,790
  
 
Loss before income taxes
    
(9,752
)
    
(47,254
)
  
(1,708
)
  
--
      
(58,714
)
Benefit from income taxes
    
3,803
      
19,051
      
45
      
--
      
22,899
  
 
Net loss before equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
    
(5,949
)
    
(28,203
)
    
(1,663
)
    
--
      
(35,815
)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
    
(29,866
)
    
--
      
--
      
29,866
      
--
  
 
Net (loss) income
  
$
(35,815
)
  
$
(28,203
)
$
(1,663
)
$
29,866
    
$
(35,815
)




Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the three months ended October 31, 2007
(in thousands)
                                       
                 
 100% Owned
                
         
Parent
  
Guarantor
  
Other
        
         
Company
  
Subsidiaries
  
Subsidiaries
  
Consolidated
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  
$
(30,154
)
  
$
21,315
    
$
(8,426
)
  
$
(17,265
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                
 
Capital expenditures
    
--
      
(29,499
)
    
(22,791
)
    
(52,290
)
 
Other investing activities, net
    
--
      
187
      
336
      
523
  
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    
--
      
(29,312
)
    
(22,455
)
    
(51,767
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                
 
Repurchases of common stock
    
(11,698
)
    
--
      
--
      
(11,698
)
 
Net (payments) proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt
    
--
      
(17,266
)
    
34,626
      
17,360
  
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    
863
      
--
      
--
      
863
  
 
Other financing activities, net
    
1,422
      
(139
)
    
(3,551
)
    
(2,268
)
 
Advances (to) from affiliates
    
39,567
      
(39,567
)
    
--
      
--
  
   
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    
30,154
      
(56,972
)
    
31,075
      
4,257
  
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    
--
      
(64,969
)
    
194
      
(64,775
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
                                
 
Beginning of period
    
--
      
225,952
      
4,867
      
230,819
  
 
End of period
  
$
--
    
$
160,983
    
$
5,061
    
$
166,044
  

 


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the three months ended October 31, 2006
(in thousands)
                                     
                 
 100% Owned
              
         
Parent
  
Guarantor
Other
        
         
Company
  
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries
  
Consolidated
Net cash used in operating activities
  
$
(16,714
)
  
$
(10,004
)
$
(26,042
)
  
$
(52,760
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
                              
 
Capital expenditures
    
--
      
(27,737
)
  
(821
)
    
(28,558
)
 
Other investing activities, net
    
--
      
(59
)
  
148
      
89
  
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    
--
      
(27,796
)
  
(673
)
    
(28,469
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                              
 
Repurchases of common stock
    
--
      
(7,500
)
  
--
      
(7,500
)
 
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt
    
--
      
19,577
    
22,462
      
42,039
  
 
Payments of long-term debt
    
--
      
(23,586
)
  
(6,261
)
    
(29,847
)
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    
2,324
      
--
    
--
      
2,324
  
 
Other financing activities, net
    
968
      
453
    
(1,691
)
    
(270
)
 
Advances (to) from affiliates
    
13,422
      
(22,573
)
  
9,151
      
--
  
   
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    
16,714
      
(33,629
)
  
23,661
      
6,746
  
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    
--
      
(71,429
)
  
(3,054
)
    
(74,483
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
                              
 
Beginning of period
    
--
      
179,998
    
11,796
      
191,794
  
 
End of period
  
$
--
    
$
108,569
  
$
8,742
    
$
117,311
  




The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2007 ("Form 10-K") and the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of October 31, 2007 and 2006 and for the three months then ended, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which provide additional information regarding the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.  To the extent that the following Management's Discussion and Analysis contains statements which are not of a historical nature, such statements are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties.  These risks include, but are not limited to those discussed in this Form 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the risks described in Item 1A of Part I of the Form 10-K.

Management's Discussion and Analysis includes discussion of financial performance within each of the Company's segments.  The Company has chosen to specifically address the non-GAAP measures, Reported EBITDA (defined as segment net revenue less segment operating expense, plus or minus segment equity investment income or loss) and Net Debt (defined as long-term debt plus long-term debt due within one year less cash and cash equivalents), in the following discussion because management considers these measurements to be significant indications of the Company's financial performance and available capital resources.  The Company utilizes Reported EBITDA in evaluating performance of the Company and in allocating resources to its segments.   Refer to the end of the Results of Operations section for a reconciliation of Reported EBITDA to net income (loss).  Management also believes that Net Debt is an important measurement as it is an indicator of the Company’s ability to obtain additional capital resources for its future cash needs.  Refer to the end of the Results of Operations section for a reconciliation of Net Debt.

Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Items excluded from Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance or liquidity.  Reported EBITDA and Net Debt should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income (loss), cash flows generated by operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity.  Because Reported EBITDA and Net Debt are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, Reported EBITDA and Net Debt as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

OVERVIEW

The Company's operations are grouped into three integrated and interdependent segments: Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate.  The Mountain segment is comprised of the operations of five ski resort properties as well as ancillary businesses, primarily including ski school, dining and retail/rental operations.  Mountain segment revenue is seasonal in nature, the majority of which is earned in the Company’s second and third fiscal quarters.  Operations within the Lodging segment include (i) ownership/management of a group of seven luxury hotels through the RockResorts International, LLC (“RockResorts”) brand, including four proximate to the Company's ski resorts, (ii) the ownership/management of non-RockResorts branded hotels and condominiums proximate to the Company's ski resorts, (iii) Grand Teton Lodge Company (“GTLC”) and (iv) golf courses.  The Real Estate segment is involved with the development of property in and around the Company's resort properties.

The Company's first fiscal quarter is a seasonally low period as the Company's ski operations are generally not open for business until mid-November, which falls in the Company's second fiscal quarter.  Additionally, many of the Company's lodging properties experience similar seasonal trends.  As a result, the Company generally incurs significant losses in the Resort (Mountain and Lodging segments combined) segment during the first fiscal quarter.

Revenue of the Mountain segment during the first fiscal quarter is primarily generated from summer and group related visitation at the Company's five mountain resorts, as well as SSI Venture, LLC’s (“SSV”) retail operations.

Revenue of the Lodging segment during the Company's first fiscal quarter is generated primarily by the operations of GTLC (as GTLC's peak operating season occurs during the summer months), as well as golf operations and seasonally low operations from the Company's other owned and managed properties.  In addition, the Company's lodging properties benefit from increased corporate group business in early fall.  Performance of the lodging properties at or around the Company's ski resorts are closely aligned with the performance of the Mountain segment, particularly with respect to visitation by out-of-state and international guests.  Revenue from hotel management operations is generated through management fees based upon the revenue of the individual hotel properties within the Company’s RockResorts and non-branded RockResorts portfolio, and to the extent that these managed properties are not proximate to the Company’s ski resorts, they are more subject to the seasonality of those individual hotels and trends within the overall travel industry.

The Company's Real Estate segment primarily engages in both the vertical development of projects and the sale of land to third-party developers, which generally includes the retention of some involvement and control in the infrastructure, development, oversight and design of the projects and a contingent revenue structure based on the ultimate sale of the developed units.  The Company attempts to mitigate the risk of vertical development by utilizing guaranteed maximum price construction contracts (although certain construction costs may not be covered by contractual limitations), pre-selling all or a portion of the project, requiring significant non-refundable deposits and obtaining non-recourse financing for certain projects.  The Company's real estate development projects also may result in the creation of certain resort assets that provide additional benefit to the Resort (Mountain and Lodging) segment.  The Company’s Real Estate revenue and associated expense fluctuate based upon the timing of closings and the type of real estate being sold, thus increasing the volatility of Real Estate operating results from period to period.  In the near-term, the majority of Real Estate revenue is expected to be generated from vertical development projects that are currently under construction, in which revenue and related cost of sales will be recorded at the time of real estate closings.

Recent Trends, Risks and Uncertainties

Together with those risk factors identified in the Company’s Form 10-K the Company’s management has identified the following important factors (as well as risks and uncertainties associated with such factors) that could impact the Company’s future financial performance:
 
●   The timing and amount of snowfall has an impact on skier visits.  To mitigate this impact, the Company focuses efforts on sales of season passes prior to the beginning of the season to In-State skiers, who are the most weather sensitive visitors to the Company’s ski resorts.  Additionally, the Company has invested in snowmaking upgrades in an effort to address the inconsistency of early season snowfall where possible.  Season pass revenue, although primarily collected prior to the ski season, is recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations throughout the ski season.  Deferred revenue related to season pass sales was $54.8 million and $53.0 million as of October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
·  
Consistent with prior years, the Company has raised prices on its season pass products and plans to raise prices on most of its other lift ticket products for the 2007/2008 ski season and therefore continues to charge some of the highest prices in the industry.  While pricing increases historically have not reduced demand, there can be no assurances that demand will remain price inelastic.
·  
In March 2006, RockResorts was notified by the ownership of Cheeca Lodge & Spa, formerly a RockResorts managed property, that its management agreement was being terminated effective immediately.  RockResorts believed that the termination was in violation of the management agreement and sought monetary damages, and recovery of attorney’s fees and costs.  Pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of the management agreement, the disputed matter went before a single judge arbitrator at the JAMS Arbitration Tribunal in Chicago, Illinois.  On February 28, 2007, the arbitrator rendered a decision, awarding $8.5 million in damages in favor of RockResorts and against Cheeca Holdings, LLC (“Cheeca Holdings”) and recovery of costs and attorney’s fees to be determined in the last stage of the proceedings.  Prior to the ruling by the arbitrator in the last stage of the proceeding, the Company reached a comprehensive settlement with Cheeca Holdings which included the damages, attorney’s fees and expenses.  On October 19, 2007 RockResorts received payment of the final settlement from Cheeca Holdings in the amount of $13.5 million, of which $11.9 million (net of final attorney fees) is recorded in “contract dispute credit (charges), net” in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations.
·  
Real Estate Reported EBITDA is highly dependent on, among other things, the timing of closings on real estate under contract.  Changes to the anticipated timing of closing on one or more real estate projects could materially impact Real Estate Reported EBITDA for a particular quarter or fiscal year.  Additionally, the magnitude of real estate projects currently under development or contemplated could result in a significant increase in Real Estate Reported EBITDA as these projects close.  For example, the Company expects to close on The Arrabelle at Vail Square (“Arrabelle”) during the year ending July 31, 2008 and expects to close on The Lodge at Vail Chalets during the fourth fiscal quarter in the year ending July 31, 2008 and the first fiscal quarter in the year ending July 31, 2009, and will recognize the revenue and related cost of sales for these projects at closing.  The Company has entered into definitive sales contracts with a value of approximately $393 million related to these projects.  In addition, the Company will place in service significant resort-related depreciable assets in conjunction with these developments including a new RockResorts hotel, two private mountain clubs, spas and commercial space.
·  
The Company has several real estate projects across its resorts under development and has identified additional projects for development.  While the current instability in the capital markets and slowdown in the national real estate market have not, to date, materially impacted the Company’s real estate development, the Company does have elevated risk associated with the selling and/or financing (including an expected increase to pricing spreads on non-recourse financings) of its real estate projects as a result of the current economic climate.  These risks surrounding the Company’s real estate developments are mitigated by the fact that the Company’s projects include a relatively low number of luxury and ultra luxury units situated at the base of its resorts, which are unique with a relatively low supply of developable land.  Additionally, the Company’s real estate projects must meet the Company’s high pre-sale requirements, which include substantial non-refundable deposits, before significant development begins.  The Company has not experienced any cancellations on its existing sales contracts to date; however, there is no guarantee that a sustained downward trend in the capital and real estate markets would not materially impact the Company’s real estate development activities or operating results.
·  
The Company had $166.0 million in cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2007 with no borrowings under the revolver component of its credit facilities and expects to generate additional cash from operations, including future closures on real estate vertical development projects.  The Company is currently evaluating how to utilize its excess cash, including any combination of the following strategic options:  increase real estate investment for further development; increase resort capital expenditures; pursue strategic acquisitions; repurchase additional common stock of the Company (see Note 11, Stock Repurchase Plan, of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for more information regarding the Company’s stock repurchase plan); pay cash dividends; or payoff outstanding debt.  The Company believes its debt generally has favorable fixed interest rates and is long-term in nature.  Additionally, the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2005, as amended, between The Vail Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and the Lenders party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”) underlying the Company’s senior credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and the Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2004 among the Company, the guarantors therein and the Bank of New York, as Trustee (“Indenture”), governing the Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (“6.75% Notes”), limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock and pay off certain of its debt, including its 6.75% Notes.  Subsequent to October 31, 2007, the Company has repurchased an additional $13.9 million of its common stock.
·  
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Peninsula Advisors, LLC (“Peninsula”) for the negotiation and mutual acquisition of The Canyons ski resort (“The Canyons”) and the land underlying The Canyons.  On July 15, 2007, American Skiing Company (“ASC”) entered into an agreement to sell The Canyons to Talisker Corporation and Talisker Canyons Finance Company, LLC (together “Talisker”).  On July 27, 2007, the Company filed a complaint in the District Court in Colorado against Peninsula and Talisker claiming, among other things, breach of contract by Peninsula and intentional interference with contractual relations and prospective business relations by Talisker and seeking damages, specific performance and injunctive relief.  On October 19, 2007, the Company’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the closing of the acquisition by Talisker of The Canyons from ASC was denied.  On November 8, 2007, Talisker filed an answer to the Company's complaint along with three counterclaims.  On November 12, 2007, Peninsula filed a motion to dismiss and for partial summary judgment.  The Company believes that these claims and motions are without merit.  The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the above described actions.  The Company incurred legal expenses related to The Canyons litigation of approximately $2.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2007.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary

Due to the seasonality of the Company’s operations, the Company normally incurs net losses during the first fiscal quarter, as shown below (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
October 31,
   
2007
  
2006
  
Mountain Reported EBITDA
  
$
(36,442
)
  
$
(32,488
)
  
Lodging Reported EBITDA
    
2,081
      
4,059
    
Resort Reported EBITDA
    
(34,361
)
    
(28,429
)
  
Real Estate Reported EBITDA
    
5,121
      
804
    
Total Reported EBITDA
    
(29,240
)
    
(27,625
)
  
Loss before benefit from income taxes
    
(40,678
)
    
(58,714
)
  
Net loss
  
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(35,815
)
  

Although Total Reported EBITDA for the three months ended October 31, 2007 decreased by $1.6 million compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006, loss before benefit from income taxes improved $18.0 million due to a $15.5 million increase in contract dispute credit, net related to the favorable settlement of the Cheeca dispute, a $1.3 million decrease in interest expense, net and a $1.2 million increase in investment income.

Presented below is more detailed comparative data and discussion regarding the Company's results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006.

Mountain Segment

Mountain segment operating results for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented by category as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
  
Percentage
   
October 31,
  
Increase
   
2007
    
2006
  
(Decrease)
Lift tickets
$
--
  
$
--
  
--
  
%
Ski school
  
--
    
--
  
--
  
%
Dining
  
4,762
    
3,887
  
22.5
  
%
Retail/rental
  
23,540
    
24,518
  
(4.0
)
%
Other
  
14,234
    
17,759
  
(19.8
)
%
Total Mountain net revenue
  
42,536
    
46,164
  
(7.9
)
%
Total Mountain operating expense
  
80,947
    
79,487
  
1.8
  
%
Mountain equity investment income, net
  
1,969
    
835
  
135.8
  
%
Total Mountain Reported EBITDA
$
(36,442
)
$
(32,488
)
(12.2
)
%
 
Total Mountain Reported EBITDA includes $1.1 million and $1.0 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
               

The Company's first fiscal quarter historically results in negative Mountain Reported EBITDA, as the Company's ski resorts generally do not open for ski operations until the Company's second fiscal quarter.  The first fiscal quarter consists primarily of fixed expenses plus summer business and retail/rental operations.

Total Mountain net revenue decreased primarily as a result of the disposition in April 2007 of the Company’s investment in RTP, LLC (“RTP”).  Prior year results included $3.4 million of revenue (recorded in “Other”) from the operations of RTP which were partially offset by increased dining revenues as a result of the acquisition of two licensed Starbucks stores and dining for on-mountain group business.  Additionally, retail/rental revenues were negatively impacted by lower sales volumes primarily during current year fall sales events compared to the prior year.

Mountain operating expense in the three months ended October 31, 2007 was negatively impacted by $2.3 million of legal costs associated with The Canyons litigation, while the three months ended October 31, 2006 included RTP expenses which no longer exist in the current fiscal year due the Company’s disposal of its investment in RTP.  Excluding these two items, expenses would have increased by 2.5% for the three months ended October 31, 2007, compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006, which was primarily due to variable costs associated with increases in dining revenue and higher costs associated with the operations of 18 Breeze Ski Rental locations acquired in June 2007.

Mountain equity investment income, net favorably impacted the three months ended October 31, 2007, compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006, due to strong results from the Company’s real estate brokerage joint venture due to a significant amount of real estate closings proximate to the Company’s Vail and Beaver Creek resorts.

Lodging Segment

Lodging segment operating results for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented by category as follows (in thousands except average daily rates (“ADR”) and revenue per available room (“RevPAR”)):

 
Three Months Ended
Percentage
 
October 31,
 Increase
 
2007
2006
(Decrease)
Total Lodging net revenue
$
43,317
  
$
40,408
  
7.2
  
%
Total Lodging operating expense
  
41,236
    
36,349
  
13.4
  
%
Total Lodging Reported EBITDA
$
2,081
  
$
4,059
  
(48.7
)
%
                   
ADR
$
157.91
  
$
149.94
  
5.3
  
%
RevPAR
$
63.97
  
$
55.25
  
15.8
  
%
 
Total Lodging Reported EBITDA includes $0.3 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Total Lodging net revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2006 included the recognition of $2.4 million of revenue associated with the termination of the management agreement at The Lodge at Rancho Mirage (pursuant to the terms of the management agreement) with the closing of the hotel as part of a redevelopment plan by the current hotel owner.  Excluding this termination fee, Lodging segment net revenue would have increased 14.0%, which was driven by a 12.7% increase in conference and group room nights, primarily at GTLC and Keystone lodging properties.  Additionally, golf revenue increased $1.2 million primarily resulting from improvements made at the Company’s Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club (“JHG&TC”) and Beaver Creek Golf Club.

Operating expense increased in the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006 due to higher food and beverage cost of sales of $1.2 million associated with the strong conference and group business, additional National Park Service fees of $1.1 million incurred by GTLC resulting from a new concession contract which became effective January 2007, start-up expenses of $0.7 million associated with The Arrabelle at Vail Square hotel which is expected to open in January 2008 and other variable operating cost associated with higher occupancy rates.

Real Estate Segment

Real Estate segment operating results for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented by category as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
  
Percentage
 
October 31,
  
Increase
 
2007
2006
  
(Decrease)
Total Real Estate net revenue
$
12,034
  
$
26,922
    
(55.3
)
%
Total Real Estate operating expense
  
6,913
    
26,118
    
(73.5
)
%
Total Real Estate Reported EBITDA
$
5,121
  
$
804
    
536.9
  
%
 
Real Estate Reported EBITDA includes $0.6 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Company's Real Estate operating revenue is primarily determined by the timing of closings and the mix of real estate sold in any given period.  Different types of projects have different revenue and expense volumes and margins; therefore, as the real estate inventory mix changes it can greatly impact Real Estate segment net revenue and operating expense, and, to a lesser degree, Real Estate Reported EBITDA.

The Company is currently in the development stage for several major real estate projects, including Arrabelle, The Lodge at Vail Chalets, Crystal Peak Lodge and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail, among other projects.  Real Estate segment net revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2007 was driven primarily by contingent gains on development parcel sales that closed in previous periods.  Operating expense for the three months ended October 31, 2007 primarily consists of marketing expenses for the major real estate projects under development, increased overhead costs such as labor and benefits associated with the expanded real estate infrastructure to support the increased vertical development and allocated corporate costs.

Real Estate segment net revenue in the three months ended October 31, 2006 was driven primarily by the closing of the Mountain Thunder Lodge and Gore Creek Place developments, the sale of land together with certain related infrastructure improvements in Red Sky Ranch and Breckenridge to third-party developers and contingent gains on development parcel sales that closed in previous periods.  Operating expense included cost of sales commensurate with revenue recognized, as well as marketing expenses, overhead costs such as labor and benefits and professional services fees.  In addition, the Company recorded $1.4 million of incremental charges during the three months ended October 31, 2006 for construction costs (including estimates to complete) on the JHG&TC cabins that have design and construction issues.

Other Items

In addition to segment operating results, the following material items contributed to the Company's overall financial position.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended October 31, 2007 decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in accelerated depreciation and amortization of approximately $0.9 million recorded in the three months ended October 31, 2006 for certain assets which were retired in advance of their previously estimated useful lives and accelerated amortization associated with certain intangible assets related to a terminated management agreement.  The average annualized depreciation rate for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 was 7.1% and 7.5%, respectively.

Relocation and separation charges.  In February 2006, the Company announced a plan to relocate its corporate headquarters, and the plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in April 2006.  The relocation process (which also includes the consolidation of certain other operations of the Company) was completed as of July 31, 2007.  The Company recorded $0.7 million of relocation charges in the three months ended October 31, 2006.

Investment income.  The Company invests excess cash in short-term investments, as permitted under the Company’s Credit Agreement and Indenture.  The increase in investment income for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006 is due to significant increases in average invested cash balances.

Interest expense, net.  The Company’s primary sources of interest expense are the 6.75% Notes, the Credit Facility, incorporating unused commitment fees and letter of credit fees related to the $300 million revolving credit facility thereunder, the outstanding $57.7 million of industrial development bonds and the series of bonds issued to finance the construction of employee housing facilities.  Interest expense decreased $1.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006, due primarily to an increase in capitalized interest associated with significant ongoing real estate and related resort development.  The Company has incurred additional interest expense for borrowings under real estate project specific financing, of which all has been capitalized to the projects.

Contract dispute credit (charges), net.  In March 2006, RockResorts was notified by the ownership of Cheeca Lodge & Spa, formerly a RockResorts managed property, that its management agreement was being terminated effective immediately.  RockResorts believed that the termination was in violation of the management agreement and sought monetary damages, and recovery of attorney’s fees and costs.  Pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of the management agreement, the disputed matter went before a single judge arbitrator at the JAMS Arbitration Tribunal in Chicago, Illinois.  On February 28, 2007, the arbitrator rendered a decision, awarding $8.5 million in damages in favor of RockResorts and against Cheeca Holdings and recovery of costs and attorney’s fees to be determined in the last stage of the proceedings.  Prior to the ruling by the arbitrator in the last stage of the proceeding, the Company reached a comprehensive settlement with Cheeca Holdings which included the damages, attorney’s fees and expenses.  On October 19, 2007, RockResorts received payment of the final settlement from Cheeca Holdings in the amount of $13.5 million, of which $11.9 million (net of final attorney fees) is recorded in “contract dispute credit (charges), net” in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Operations.

Income taxes.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 was 39.5% and 39.0%, respectively.  The interim period effective tax rate is primarily driven by the amount of anticipated pre-tax book income for the full fiscal year and an estimate of the amount of non-deductible items for tax purposes.   Additionally, the income tax benefit recorded in the three months ended October 31, 2007 reflects the reversal of a previously recorded liability in the amount of $0.7 million associated with unrecognized tax benefits that were determined to be realizable due to a settlement reached with state tax authorities (see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for more information regarding this settlement).

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examination of the Company’s tax returns for tax years 2001 through 2003 and has issued a report of its findings.  The examiner’s primary finding is the disallowance of the Company’s position to remove the restrictions under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of approximately $73.8 million of net operating losses (“NOLs”).  These restricted NOLs relate to fresh start accounting from the Company’s reorganization in 1992.  The Company has appealed the examiner’s disallowance of these NOLs to the Office of Appeals.  However, if the Company is unsuccessful in its appeals process, it will not negatively impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures

The following table reconciles from segment Reported EBITDA to net loss (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
  
   
October 31,
  
   
2007
      
2006
  
Mountain Reported EBITDA
$
(36,442
)
  
$
(32,488
)
Lodging Reported EBITDA
  
2,081
      
4,059
  
 
Resort Reported EBITDA
  
(34,361
)
    
(28,429
)
Real Estate Reported EBITDA
  
5,121
      
804
  
 
Total Reported EBITDA
  
(29,240
)
    
(27,625
)
Depreciation and amortization
  
(20,761
)
    
(21,585
)
Relocation and separation charges
  
--
      
(735
)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
  
(234
)
    
(81
)
Investment income
  
3,218
      
2,063
  
Interest expense, net
  
(7,644
)
    
(8,936
)
Contract dispute credit (charges), net
  
11,920
      
(3,605
)
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries, net
  
2,063
      
1,790
  
Loss before benefit from income taxes
  
(40,678
)
    
(58,714
)
 
Benefit from income taxes
  
16,068
      
22,899
  
Net loss
  
$
(24,610
)
  
$
(35,815
)

The following table reconciles Net Debt (defined as long-term debt plus long-term debt due within one year less cash and cash equivalents) (in thousands):

   
October  31,
   
2007
  
2006
Long-term debt
  
$
534,527
  
$
542,990
Long-term debt due within one year
    
76,944
    
430
Total debt
    
611,471
    
543,420
Less: cash and cash equivalents
    
166,044
    
117,311
Net debt
  
$
445,427
  
$
426,109

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Significant Sources of Cash

Historically, the Company's first fiscal quarter is seasonally low for cash and cash equivalents on hand as the Company's ski resorts generally do not open for ski operations until mid-November and the Company is incurring fixed costs in the first quarter as well as incurring Resort capital expenditures and investments in real estate.  In total, the Company used $64.8 million and $74.5 million of cash in the three months ended October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006, respectively.  Cash used in operating activities improved $35.5 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006, and was primarily attributable to improved changes in assets and liabilities of $37.6 million, due to a reduction in restricted cash balances of $11.9 million which became available for general purpose use, increased deferred real estate deposits of $20.9 million and the timing of payables and receivables, partially offset by an increase in investments in real estate of $9.3 million.  Additionally, the receipt of the Cheeca settlement resulted in a net increase of $15.5 million in cash, which was offset by lower non-cash cost of real estate sales.  The improvement noted in operating activities above was offset by an increase in resort capital expenditures of $23.7 million (cash used in investing activities) for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006.

In addition to the Company’s $166.0 million of cash and cash equivalents at October 31, 2007, the Company has available $226.2 million under its Credit Facility (which represents the total commitment of $300 million less certain letters of credit outstanding of $73.8 million).  As of October 31, 2007 and 2006, total long-term debt (including long-term debt due within one year) was $611.5 million and $543.4 million, respectively, with the increase at October 31, 2007 being due to Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings related to the Company’s vertical development projects.  Net Debt (defined as long-term debt plus long-term debt due within one year less cash and cash equivalents) increased from $426.1 million as of October 31, 2006 to $445.4 million as of October 31, 2007 due to the increase in borrowings under the Company’s Non-Recourse Real Estate Financings partially offset by the increase in cash and cash equivalents.  The Company believes it is in a good position to take advantage of potential strategic options as further discussed below, as the Company has significant cash and cash equivalents on hand and no revolver borrowings under its Credit Facility.

The Company expects that its liquidity needs in the near term will be met by continued utilization of operating cash flows (including a significant amount of cash to be generated from anticipated real estate closing), through borrowings under construction loan agreements entered into by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, and borrowings, if necessary, under the Credit Facility.  The Company is also seeking to enter into non-recourse financings on certain other real estate projects, such as The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail.

The Company is currently evaluating how to use its excess cash, including a combination of the following strategic options: increase resort capital expenditures, increase real estate investment for further development, pursue strategic acquisitions, payoff outstanding debt and/or return value to stockholders, including the repurchase of additional common stock of the Company.  The Company’s debt generally has favorable fixed interest rates and is long-term in nature.  The Company’s Credit Facility and the Indenture limit the Company’s ability to make investments or distributions, including the payment of dividends and/or the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, and the pay off of certain of its debt, including its 6.75% Notes.

Significant Uses of Cash

The Company’s cash needs typically include providing for operating expenditures, debt service requirements and capital expenditures for both assets to be used in operations as well as real estate development projects.  In addition, the Company expects it will incur significant cash income tax payments (generally expected to approximate its statutory income tax rate) in the near future due to the improved operating results, the limitations on the usage of NOLs generated in prior periods (subject to the appeal of the IRS ruling described above) and a decline in tax benefits resulting from stock option exercises.  Historically, the Company had not been a significant cash income tax payer.

The Company expects to spend approximately $275 million to $295 million in calendar year 2007 for real estate development projects, including the construction of associated resort-related depreciable assets, of which $224 million was spent as of October 31, 2007, leaving approximately $51 million to $71 million to spend in the remainder of calendar year 2007.  The Company has entered into contracts with third parties to provide construction-related services to the Company throughout the course of construction for these projects; commitments for future services to be performed over the next several years under such current contracts total approximately $334 million.  The primary projects are expected to include continued construction and development costs, as well as planning and infrastructure costs associated with planned development projects in and around each of the Company’s resorts.  The Company expects investments in real estate will be higher than historical levels for the foreseeable future as the Company continues its vertical development efforts. The Company has not finalized its real estate development plans for calendar year 2008.  As noted above, the Company obtained non-recourse financing to fund construction of The Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail Chalets projects.  The Company is also seeking to utilize similar financing arrangements for certain other development projects, such as The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail.  In addition to utilizing project-specific financing, the Company also pre-sells units requiring deposits in a proposed development prior to committing to the completion of the development.

The Company has historically invested significant cash in capital expenditures for its resort operations, and expects to continue to invest significant cash in the future.  The Company evaluates additional capital improvements based on expected strategic impacts and/or expected return on investment.  The Company currently anticipates it will spend approximately $97 million to $102 million of resort capital expenditures for calendar year 2007 excluding projects arising from real estate activities noted above, of which $75 million was spent as of October 31, 2007, leaving approximately $22 million to $27 million to spend in the remainder of calendar year 2007.  This overall resort capital investment will allow the Company to maintain its high quality standards and make incremental discretionary improvements at the Company’s five ski resorts and throughout its hotels.  Included in these capital expenditures are approximately $38 million to $40 million which are necessary to maintain appearance and level of service appropriate to the Company’s resort operations, including routine replacement of snow grooming equipment and rental fleet equipment.  Discretionary expenditures for calendar 2007 include a new Beaver Creek children’s gondola; replacement and realignment of two chairlifts with high-speed chairlifts at Vail; a new high-speed chairlift at Heavenly; an expanded spa at The Keystone Lodge, room renovations at The Lodge at Vail; and upgrades to the Company’s central reservations, marketing database and e-commerce booking systems, among other projects.  The Company has not finalized its specific resort capital plan for calendar year 2008.  The Company currently plans to utilize cash flow from operations and cash on hand to provide the cash necessary to execute its capital plan.

Principal payments on the vast majority of the Company's long-term debt ($489.4 million of the total $611.5 million debt outstanding as of October 31, 2007) are not due until fiscal 2013 and beyond.  Excluding payments of amounts due under non-recourse real estate financing which will be made utilizing proceeds from the applicable real estate closings, the Company has $17.6 million of principal payments due over the next five fiscal years.

The Company's debt service requirements can be impacted by changing interest rates as the Company had $157.0 million of variable-rate debt outstanding as of October 31, 2007.  A 100-basis point change in LIBOR would cause the Company's annual interest payments to change by approximately $1.6 million.  The fluctuation in the Company’s debt service requirements, in addition to interest rate changes, may be impacted by future borrowings under its Credit Facility or other alternative financing arrangements, including non-recourse real estate financings, it may enter into.  The Company’s long term liquidity needs are dependent upon operating results that impact the borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility, which can be mitigated by adjustments to capital expenditures, flexibility of investment activities and the ability to obtain favorable future financing.  The Company manages changes in the business and economic environment by managing its capital expenditures and real estate development activities.

On March 9, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock.  During the three months ended October 31, 2007, the Company repurchased 232,504 shares of common stock at a cost of $11.7 million.  Since inception of this stock repurchase plan, the Company has repurchased 906,004 shares at a cost of approximately $37.5 million, as of October 31, 2007.  As of October 31, 2007, 2,093,996 shares remained available to repurchase under the existing repurchase authorization.  Subsequent to October 31, 2007, the Company repurchased 273,879 additional shares at a cost of approximately $13.9 million.  Shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the repurchase program will be held as treasury shares and may be used for the issuance of shares under the Company's employee share award plans.  Acquisitions under the share repurchase program will be made from time to time at prevailing prices as permitted by applicable laws, and subject to market conditions and other factors.  The timing as well as the number of shares that may be repurchased under the program will depend on a number of factors including the Company's future financial performance, the Company's available cash resources and competing uses for cash that may arise in the future, the restrictions in the Credit Facility and in the Indenture, prevailing prices of the Company's common stock and the number of shares that become available for sale at prices that the Company believes are attractive.  The stock repurchase program may be discontinued at any time and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's capitalization.

Covenants and Limitations

The Company must abide by certain restrictive financial covenants under its Credit Facility and the Indenture.  The most restrictive of those covenants include the following Credit Facility covenants: Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio, Minimum Net Worth and the Interest Coverage ratio (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).  In addition, the Company’s financing arrangements, including the Indenture, limit its ability to incur certain indebtedness, make certain restricted payments, enter into certain investments, make certain affiliate transfers and may limit its ability to enter into certain mergers, consolidations or sales of assets.  The Company’s borrowing availability under the Credit Facility is primarily determined by the Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio, which is based on the Company’s segment operating performance, as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Company was in compliance with all relevant covenants in its debt instruments as of October 31, 2007.  The Company expects it will meet all applicable financial maintenance covenants in its Credit Agreement, including the Net Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio throughout the year ending July 31, 2008.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will meet such financial covenants.  If such covenants are not met, the Company would be required to seek a waiver or amendment from the banks participating in the Credit Facility.  While the Company anticipates that it would obtain such waiver or amendment, if any were necessary, there can be no assurance that such waiver or amendment would be granted, which could have a material adverse impact on the liquidity of the Company.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have off balance sheet transactions that are expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to analyses and other information available as of the date hereof, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable.  These statements also relate to our contemplated future prospects, developments and business strategies.

These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "will" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.  Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·  
economic downturns;
·   
terrorist acts upon the United States;
·   
threat of or actual war;
·  
unfavorable weather conditions;
  ·   
our ability to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us to finance our real estate investments, capital expenditures and growth strategy;
·   
our ability to continue to grow our resort and real estate operations;
·   
competition in our mountain and lodging businesses;
·   
our ability to hire and retain a sufficient seasonal workforce;
·   
our ability to successfully initiate and/or complete real estate development projects and achieve the anticipated financial benefits from such projects;
·   
implications arising from new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)/governmental legislation, rulings or interpretations;
·  
our reliance on government permits or approvals for our use of federal land or to make operational improvements;
·   
our ability to integrate and successfully operate future acquisitions; and
·   
adverse consequences of current or future legal claims.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected.  Given these uncertainties, users of the information included in this Form 10-Q, including investors and prospective investors, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof.  Except as may be required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information, future events or other circumstances have made them incorrect or misleading.

Readers are also referred to the risk factors identified in the Company's Form 10-K.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest Rate Risk.  The Company's exposure to market risk is limited primarily to the fluctuating interest rates associated with variable rate indebtedness.  At October 31, 2007, the Company had $157.0 million of variable rate indebtedness, representing 25.7% of the Company's total debt outstanding, at an average interest rate during the three months ended October 31, 2007 of 6.5%.  Based on variable-rate borrowings outstanding as of October 31, 2007, a 100-basis point (or 1.0%) change in LIBOR would have caused the Company's annual interest payments to change by $1.6 million.  The Company's market risk exposure fluctuates based on changes in underlying interest rates.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management of the Company, under the supervision and with participation of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q.

Based upon their evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the disclosure controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms.

The Company, including its CEO and CFO, does not expect that the Company's internal controls and procedures will prevent or detect all error and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Canyons Ski Resort Litigation

On July 27, 2007, the Company filed a complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order in the matter Vail Resorts, Inc. v. Peninsula Advisors, LLC et al., Case No. 07CV7264, District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado, seeking damages, specific performance and injunctive relief.  On October 19, 2007, the Company’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the closing of the acquisition by Talisker Corporation and Talisker Finance Co, LLC (together “Talisker”) of ASC Utah, Inc. the owner of The Canyons Ski Resort in Utah, from American Skiing Company pursuant to a purchase agreement was denied.  On November 8, 2007, Talisker filed an answer to the Company's complaint along with three counterclaims.  On November 12, 2007, Peninsula Advisors, LLC filed a motion to dismiss and for partial summary judgment. The Company believes that these claims and motions are without merit.

On September 4, 2007, the Company filed a Motion to Intervene in Peninsula Advisors, LLC v. Wolf Mountain Resorts, L.C. et al, Civil No. 070500397 Third District Court, Summit County, Utah, in which Peninsula Advisors, LLC is seeking to enforce the transfer by Wolf Mountain Resorts, L.C. of the land underlying The Canyons.  The Company’s motion was heard on November 26, 2007.

The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the above described actions.

Refer to Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements regarding the Cheeca contract dispute.


There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of the Company’s Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

Repurchase of equity securities

The following table summarizes the purchase of the Company’s equity securities during the first quarter of the year ending July 31, 2008:
 
Period
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
 
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
 
 
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
August 1, 2007 – August 31, 2007
 
232,504
 
 $
50.31
 
 
232,504
 
 
2,093,996
September 1, 2007 - September 30, 2007
 
--
 
 
--
 
 
--
 
 
2,093,996
October 1, 2007 - October 31, 2007
 
--
 
 
--
 
 
--
 
 
2,093,996
Total
 
232,504
  
 $
50.31
  
 
232,504
  
 
 

(1) On March 9, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock.  Acquisitions under the share repurchase program will be made from time to time at prevailing prices as permitted by applicable laws, and subject to market conditions and other factors.  The stock repurchase program may be discontinued at any time.


None.


None.


None.


The following exhibits are either filed herewith or, if so indicated, incorporated by reference to the documents indicated in parentheses, which have previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit Number
Description
Sequentially Numbered Page
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vail Resorts, Inc., dated January 5, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended January 31, 2005).
  
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed on September 28, 2007).
  
4.1(a)
Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2004, among Vail Resorts, Inc., the guarantors therein and the Bank of New York as Trustee (Including Exhibit A, Form of Global Note).  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed on February 2, 2004.)
  
4.1(b)
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2006 to Indenture dated as of January 29, 2004 among Vail Resorts, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the quarter ended January 31, 2006.)
  
4.1(c)
Form of Global Note.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed February 2, 2004.)
  
10.1
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 on Form 10-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2007).
  
10.2
Form of Restricted Share [Unit] Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 on Form 10-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2007).
  
10.3
Form of Share Appreciation Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 on Form 10-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2007).
  
10.4
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2007, by and between Vail Resorts Development Company and Keith Fernandez (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K of Vail Resorts, Inc. filed on August 8, 2007).
  
10.5
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, by and between Vail Resorts, Inc. and Jeffrey W. Jones.
15
10.6
Vail Resorts, Inc. Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Schedule 14A of Vail Resorts, Inc. as filed on October 26, 2007).
  
10.7
Summary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Director Compensation, effective October 15, 2007.
19
31.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
20
31.2
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
21
32
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
22

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  December 10, 2007
Vail Resorts, Inc.
   
 
                        By:
/s/ Jeffrey W. Jones
 
Jeffrey W. Jones
 
Senior Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Chief Accounting Officer and
 
Duly Authorized Officer)



EX-10.5 2 exhibit10_5.htm EXHIBIT 10.5 exhibit10_5.htm
Exhibit 10.5

FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), is made and entered into as of September 26, 2007, by and between VAIL RESORTS, INC. (“VRI”), and Jeffrey W. Jones (“Executive”).

RECITALS

A.           VRI and Executive entered into that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective September 29, 2004 (the “Original Agreement”); and

B.           VRI and Executive desire to amend the Original Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           Section 2(h) is hereby added to the Original Agreement to read as follows:

(h)           Long Term Incentive Compensation.  So long as Executive shall be employed by VRI on September 30, 2008 (and has not received any notice of termination for any reason as of or prior to that date), Executive shall be granted (the “September 2008 Grant”) a long term incentive award having a grant value of $2,300,000, of which (1) 50% (using VRI’s standard valuation methodology) shall be pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), and (2) 50% (using VRI’s standard valuation methodology) shall be pursuant to a grant of Share Appreciation Rights (“SARs”), each of which (x) shall be subject to the terms of the VRI Amended and Restated 2002 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (or such successor equity compensation plan) and the agreements provided pursuant thereto, and (y) shall vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that this provision shall be of no effect in the event that a Change in Control, as defined below, has been completed on or before September 30, 2008, and only if the effect of such Change in Control is to extinguish, exchange or convert the common stock of VRI concurrent with the Change in Control being effected.  Notwithstanding the terms of any other agreement or plan, none of the vesting of the RSUs or SARs issued pursuant to the September 2008 Grant shall accelerate in the event of a duly completed Change in Control which has been publicly announced or completed prior to March 31, 2009 but rather shall vest pursuant to (y) above.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean an event or series of events by which:

(A)  any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent, or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the equity securities of VRI entitled to vote for members of the Board or equivalent governing body of VRI on a fully-diluted basis; or

(B)  during any period of twenty four (24) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the Board or other equivalent governing body of VRI cease to be composed of individuals (1) who were members of that Board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (2) whose election or nomination to that Board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (1) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that Board or equivalent governing body, or (3) whose election or nomination to that Board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that Board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (2) and clause (3), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that Board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the Board); or

(C) any person or two or more persons acting in concert shall have acquired, by contract or otherwise, control over the equity securities of VRI entitled to vote for members of the Board or equivalent governing body of VRI on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 51% or more of the combined voting power of such securities; or

(D) VRI sells or transfers (other than by mortgage or pledge) all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, another “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act).

2.           Except as modified by this Amendment, the Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

3.           This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

4.           The internal laws of the State of Colorado law shall govern the construction and enforcement of this Amendment.
[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the day of the date first written above.


VAIL RESORTS, INC.:

By:           /s/ Robert A. Katz                                                                
                                
                                Robert A. Katz, Chief Executive Officer


EXECUTIVE:
 
/s/ Jeffrey W. Jones                                                                
 
                                Jeffrey W. Jones







 











Signature Page to First Amendment to
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement



 EX-10.7 3 exhibit10_7.htm EXHIBIT 10.7 exhibit10_7.htm
Exhibit 10.7

SUMMARY OF VAIL RESORTS, INC. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION1 
PER SUMMARY PREPARED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, EFFECTIVE 8/1/03;
REVISED BY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OCTOBER 15, 2007

CASH AND EQUITY COMPENSATION (Excludes CEO)
Description of Compensation
To Whom
Amount
Annual Cash Retainer
Directors
$35,000
Additional Compensation
Chairman of the Board
$50,000
for Other Services
Audit Committee Chair
$25,000
 
Audit Committee Members
$15,000
 
Compensation Committee Chair
$7,500
 
Nominating Committee Chair
$7,500
 
Lead Director2 
$25,000
Meeting Fees (Per Meeting)
Directors (In Person)
$5,000
(Not Including Actions
Directors (By Telephone)
$1,000
Taken by Consent)
Compensation/Nominating Committee
$1,000
 
Audit Committee Meeting
$2,000
Equity Compensation
All Directors
$115,000 Restricted Stock Units*

* The grant value is determined and approved each year by the Compensation Committee; on October 15, 2007, the Compensation Committee granted each Board member RSUs with a value of $115,000.  Based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant each director was issued 1,811 RSUs which vest in full on 10/15/08.

PERQUISITES

Each director is entitled to an annual $30,000 allowance to be used at the Company’s resorts in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Executive Perquisite Fund Program, filed as Exhibit 10.27 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.  Directors may draw against the account to pay for services, at the market rate for the applicable resort or services.  Unused funds in each director’s account at the end of each fiscal year will be forfeited.


1 All taxes on director compensation are to be paid by Board member

2 The Company currently does not have a Lead Director



 EX-31.1 4 exhibit31_1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 exhibit31_1.htm
Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert A. Katz, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 10, 2007

        /s/ Robert A. Katz        
Robert A. Katz
Chief Executive Officer



EX-31.2 5 exhibit31_2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 exhibit31_2.htm
Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Jeffrey W. Jones, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vail Resorts, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 10, 2007

        /s/ Jeffrey W. Jones        
Jeffrey W. Jones
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer



EX-32 6 exhibit32.htm EXHIBIT 32 exhibit32.htm
Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT
 TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of Vail Resorts, Inc. (the “Company”) that the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2007 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations of the Company at the end of and for the periods covered by such Report.


Date: December 10, 2007

        /s/ Robert A. Katz       
Robert A. Katz
Chief Executive Officer


Date: December 10, 2007

        /s/ Jeffrey W. Jones        
Jeffrey W. Jones
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer


This certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is not a part of the Form 10-Q to which it refers, and is, to the extent permitted by law, provided by each of the above signatories to the extent of his respective knowledge.  This certification is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Vail Resorts, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Vail Resorts, Inc. and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





 



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